Once a Princess Chapter 1, a sailor moon fanfic

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Once a Princess: Chapter 1 (revised)
Charlyne
charlyne_o@hotmail.com
Chapter Rating: G

Cleo frowned up at her father. Her hands were braced on her hips and her eyes flashed with anger. "Papa, why do I have to go?" she questioned.

"Because your mother wishes it. You have yet to be at Court and you are of an age to begin looking for a husband," Alric answered. He tugged gently on a lock of his daughter's long silver hair and smiled softly. "Just do it for your mother."

Cleo sighed and crossed her arms. "I'm only sixteen, Papa. You didn't make Gabe or Beth or Lily get married," she said, referring to her brother and sisters.

"I'm not making you get married. And your sisters are already betrothed," Alric replied, exasperated.

Cleo pouted, knowing that she would not win this argument. She would have to don the bloody dresses and pretend to be a perfect lady. She would have to dance, and flirt, and, well, be a girl. The thought made her grimace.

Her father gave her a soft kiss on the forehead and left the room. Not a minute later, Lily came rushing into the room, her bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Can you imagine? We're all invited to the Palace, for an Alliance Ball. And Lunarians are supposed to be there! Oh, I cannot wait, Cleo!" Lily gushed. Her blond hair flew out around her as she walked through the room. She continued to talk at a high rate of speed, her hands making expressive gestures.

Cleo rolled her eyes and tried to block out her sister's rambling. Opening her wardrobe, Cleo pulled out some tunics and breeches that her brother had gifted her with and laid them on the bed.

"Oh, you're not taking those, are you?" Lily asked, pausing in her description of the Golden Palace. "What if someone sees you dressed as a boy? What will they think of us?"

"They'll probably think that I like dressing as a boy. You may choose the gowns, as I've no idea which ones are appropriate. Papa said that I must wear them, though."

"Well, of course you must!" Lily said, advancing on the bureau holding Cleo's clothing. She began to describe the merits of each gown and if it was still in style and if the coloring would look good on Cleo and if it was a day, evening, or ball gown. Cleo again tried to block out her voice, insisting that Lily just choose the ones for her to take.

Three days later, the family was ready to leave for the four-hour trip to Terra. Cleo was miserable in her day dress, but kept her mouth shut. Her mother had already snapped at her for complaining. Cleo shot an angry glare at her brother, who smirked at her through the window of the carriage. He was allowed to ride his horse and since she was supposed to act like a lady, she was confined to the stuffy vehicle.

"Cheer up there, Cleo. It cannot be all that bad. Other ladies don't complain," Gabriel insisted, grinning.

"How about I wrap you up in layers of fabric that weigh you down and that expose nearly all of your chest!" Cleo replied. She blushed at the last statement and tried unsuccessfully to pull the bodice of her gown up.

"Leave it," Tamara, her mother, said. "It is just how it's supposed to be. Beth and Lily are not fidgeting."

"But, mother, they're used to wearing dresses. Tunics cover all of you, they don't leave you all hanging out!"

Bethany, the second oldest, frowned over at Cleo. "Stop complaining. What will Their Majesties think if you are not attired properly? It's only for five days, then you may go back to wearing your boy clothes."

Cleo slumped back into her seat, a scowl settling on her face. She stayed that way most of the trip and only moved when they entered the city, her curiosity outweighing her anger.

She was awed by the number of people and how crowded together the buildings were. How could these people live without and trees or fields around? With no open spaces to lose themselves in?

She talked her father into buying her a meat pie from one of the street vendors before stopping at the Palace. She had not eaten all day and she was getting nervous. What if her stomach started to make noises when she met the royal family?

The carriage stopped in the huge open courtyard and the coachman helped each of the ladies down. Cleo grimaced at the soreness in her rear end from sitting for so long and paced around while everyone was waiting, trying to get the stiffness out. She noticed her sisters primping and looked down at herself. Her dress was a bit wrinkled, but that was it. She smoothed the soft material of the skirt and sighed.

"Come, Cleo, we are being shown to our chambers," her mother called out.

Brushing a strand of long silver hair that had come loose from her coronet back into place, Cleo hurried after her family. They followed a servant through many long, beautifully adorned hallways before stopping in front of a large double door.

"Your rooms," the servant announced, bowing. "The ball will begin tomorrow at three o'clock. Their Majesties wish to have an audience with milord and milady in two hours." With another bow, the servant departed.

"Finally!" Cleo muttered and immediately found her valise stowed in the changing room. She pulled out her tunic and breeches and quickly changed her clothes. While her parents were talking to the Queen and King, she would be out exploring.

"I'll be back before dark!" she called before leaving the room. Her father sounded angry but whatever it was he yelled, she didn't catch it. She assumed it was along the lines of 'come back here'.

When she turned the corner, she didn't notice her brother following behind her.

_______________________________________________

Endymion paced through the gardens, a deep frown on his face. His parents had just told him of a betrothal that may or may not still exist. Sixteen years ago, when Princess Serenity of the Moon had been born, Queen Serenity and Queen Kaia had decided to betroth their children in an effort to bring peace between the Earth and the Moon. However, a year later the princess had been kidnapped and no one had seen her ever again. The only information that had been received was a ransom note and a lock of the baby's soft silver hair.

The Queen of the Moon, though devastated, had still not broken the betrothal to the Earth prince. She claimed that, in her heart, she felt her daughter was still alive and she was determined to find her one day. She told Kaia that if the princess was not found by the prince's eighteenth birthday that she would break the betrothal contract.

The prince's birthday was one month away.

The good news, of course, was that a betrothal was no longer necessary to bring peace, for the two councils had worked out an agreement and this ball was to celebrate the Earth's induction into the Silver Millennium Alliance. The Earth would now join this peaceful and prosperous age that many of the other planets had been enjoying for centuries.

There were dissenters, of course, but far more people were ready to stop the bickering and petty rivalries. Those who did not want this alliance were jealous of the Lunarians--jealous of their long life spans and of the innate powers they possessed.

Deeply submerged in his thoughts, Prince Endymion did not see the person who turned the corner right in front of him. He did, however, feel the impact of their bodies colliding.

"Son of a...Watch where you're going, boy!" he shouted, not giving the person even a glace.

"Boy! I am no boy!" the person replied. It was definitely a feminine voice.

Endymion quickly looked up in surprise and felt himself being swept away by the storm brewing in those large silver-blue eyes. Her face was delicate-looking and pale and her hair was pulled up into a braid that formed a circlet on her head. It was an unusual shade, for he could swear that it was silver.

"I'm sorry, milady. I am Prince Endymion. Your name?" he asked, his most charming, lopsided smile on his face. He bowed and gently kissed her knuckles.

"Er...no, I am sorry, Your Highness," Cleo stuttered. Good Lord, she'd just run into the prince! Couldn't he order her execution for something like that? And why was he staring at her like that? She knew her looks were most...exotic...but no one had ever stared at her quite so intensely.

Cleo bit back a groan when she saw he brother round the corner. He took one look at the scene and charged forward. Cleo knew that he would probably do something drastic--like punch the prince--if she didn't stop him soon.

"Gabriel, this is His Highness, Prince Endymion," Cleo hurried to explain. Her brother stopped short and took a deep breath. Cleo turned back to the Prince. "That's my brother, Lord Gabriel Stansfield. I am Lady Cleo Stansfield. I beg your pardon, your Highness, but I really must go."

With a slight curtsy, which was awkward in her boy's clothes, she grabbed her brother's hand and hurried away.

I cannot believe I ran into the prince, Cleo groaned mentally. How embarrassing!

Stopping in the middle of a hallway, Cleo leaned against the wall and bounced her head against the marble surface. She silently chanted stupid each time her head hit. Gabriel was frowning at her and, after a moment, yanked her away from the wall.

"You are going to give yourself brain damage," he snapped.

Cleo rolled her eyes. "Gabe, that was the prince. I cannot believe this. What is he going to think of me? Of us?!"

"Cleo, relax, he has probably already forgotten about it."

The look Cleo shot at her brother told him exactly how much she doubted his words.

"Father wants you to stay in the room," Gabe continued. "Come on."

They walked down the hall together and entered the suite of rooms they'd been given. Cleo sighed and wondered what else could possibly go wrong. She'd already made a bad impression on the prince, was there anything more she could ruin?

Author's Note:
So, how do you like my new story so far? I hope you all like it. I added some on the end there, just to finish it up. Does it sound alright? Is there more I should add or should I remove something? Let me know. :-)

In Chapter 2: Meet the Senshi. Soldiers without a princess to guard...

Thanks for reading, don't forget to review! ;-)